the_spines's review against another edition
2.0
FULL REVIEW HERE: meganprokott.com/costalegre-courtney-maum/review
Here’s the thing about this book. I was SO excited to pick it up because it has so many of my favorites themes: Art, dramatic family relationships, & secretive travel to name a few. However, from the very first page I could not get into the writing style, which I blame almost completely on the vehicle for the story. Narrating for the reader throughout is the diary of a young girl who was bored, listless, and struggling to find her place.
And let me just say, reading the perspective of a 15-year-old was such an irritating experience. I couldn’t get myself to care about her observations about the artists and her surroundings, and I really couldn’t have been less invested in her perspective. I think my main issue with Lara as the driving force for this actually really interesting story is that Lara didn’t know about anything that was happening in their eccentric community of artists and collectors and, by extension, neither did the reader. I always felt slightly removed from the story and I think the reason for that is because Lara, our narrator, was always removed herself from the goings-on and the actual interesting parts of the story.
Here’s the thing about this book. I was SO excited to pick it up because it has so many of my favorites themes: Art, dramatic family relationships, & secretive travel to name a few. However, from the very first page I could not get into the writing style, which I blame almost completely on the vehicle for the story. Narrating for the reader throughout is the diary of a young girl who was bored, listless, and struggling to find her place.
And let me just say, reading the perspective of a 15-year-old was such an irritating experience. I couldn’t get myself to care about her observations about the artists and her surroundings, and I really couldn’t have been less invested in her perspective. I think my main issue with Lara as the driving force for this actually really interesting story is that Lara didn’t know about anything that was happening in their eccentric community of artists and collectors and, by extension, neither did the reader. I always felt slightly removed from the story and I think the reason for that is because Lara, our narrator, was always removed herself from the goings-on and the actual interesting parts of the story.
doylemat's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
anneke_b's review against another edition
2.0
What did I read? First of all, the book looks stunning, but otherwise I am not really sure what I read. I get the point that it fictionalizes a real occurrence, but is that enough to make a story?
I did not mind it, it was a fast read and interesting, but the afterthought was: WHAT?
I did not mind it, it was a fast read and interesting, but the afterthought was: WHAT?
laurelinwonder's review against another edition
5.0
This lovely little book, oh goodness. If you like a little capital L Literature, and enjoy historical fiction (loosely based on Peggy Guggenheim and her real life daughter Pegeen. This book is Lara's little diary, which reads like a notebook. This book is not that of a whiny teen, so don't assume as such, if anything, Lara is the epitome of any child/teen who has ever wanted to be seen, to be loved in a way that their parent is unable to do. I loved Lara's syntax, her longing to be someone of worth. I loved the ways in which she pulled back the curtain on the "loonies" the artists she and her mother travelled and lived with. Like most teens, even those in the 1930s, she is unable to not reveal herself in these pages. A testament to art, to youth, to trying to grow up in constantly changing scenery, countries, and languages.
zon_sol_sun's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
anderson65's review against another edition
5.0
The overall ambiance of the story is lulling and calm, despite the disorganized people.
andrewgraphics's review against another edition
1.0
Poorly written, without any character development, story, plot, or reason foe being.
Tho, the fact it is about Dada artists and the book itself seems to be making fun of the reader for reading it might be a point in its favor.
Tho, the fact it is about Dada artists and the book itself seems to be making fun of the reader for reading it might be a point in its favor.
sincerelylogan's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jeclark86's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of those books where if you look at it in one light, it’s nothing special, and you look at it in another, it’s a delight. I read it in the right light I suppose.
alangley's review against another edition
3.0
Lovely in many ways, but never quite did anything with its loveliness. I wanted just a bit more.